Another night of TCM’s “Spring Break” films, tonight begins with a 1965 film that, like the others, is not very good – but, like the others, is fascinating to watch regardless. Sometimes these movies are entertaining, truly, because of the scenery. Other times, it’s the bafflingly incongruent supporting cast (Don Rickles and Buster Keaton?) Still other times, as with this movie starring Frankie Avalon and Deborah Walley, it’s the musical performances – w

2012

Apr

FRINGE By David Bianculli

This series is hard enough to keep straight as it is, with two different universes and lookalike populations who have a propensity to cross over and intermingle. But tonight, it adds a time jump to the mix, by leaping forward to the year 2036. In that Orwellian future, the Observers are in charge, and firmly in control. That’s fine for those Observers. But what about us observers? What’s going on?

2012

Apr

THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: This effortlessly entertaining show returns for a new season, with an increasingly inventive team of animators bringing to goofy life some casual conversations featuring Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington. Few shows on TV make me laugh as often, or as loudly. And wait until, in tonight’s episode, you hear Karl’s idea for a new movie starring Tom Cruise…

2012

Apr

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER By David Bianculli

Tonight’s guest list doesn’t feature any really big names – but sometimes, those are the shows that end up being the most captivating.

2012

Apr

DICK CLARK: HE NEVER WORE OUT HIS WELCOME By Bill Brioux

I met Dick Clark -- who died today (Wednesday) at 82 of a heart attack -- on the set of a show he was producing, American Dreams. This was in 2004, before his stroke...

2012

Apr

AMERICAN IDOL By David Bianculli

Host Ryan Seacrest opened last night’s show by saluting Dick Clark, who died Wednesday, and alongside whom Seacrest was welcomed years ago as co-host of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. (For Dick Clark tributes from some of us at TVWW, read Ed Bark HERE, Bill Brioux HERE, and my own story HERE.) Tonight, there’s a finality of a less literal sort, as another singer is eliminated from the pack of Idol finalists. And this time, there’s no judges’ save &

2012

Apr

BEACH PARTY By David Bianculli

Dick Clark doesn’t appear in any of tonight’s movies on TCM’s “Spring Break” lineup, but he’s here in spirit, since the movies are loaded with the same performers, and peppy attitudes, that marked his American Bandstand days. This 1963 movie, the first in a series of sun-and-fun, music-and-dance frolics aimed squarely at the teen market, stars Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. Avalon makes Justin Bieber look sloppy and surly, and Funicello – well, th

2012

Apr

THE OFFICE By David Bianculli

Andy (Ed Helms) returns to the office, and he’s not prepared for the welcome he receives – or doesn’t. Or, for that matter, for the pressures that mount very quickly, leading to the very definition of an Office meltdown.

2012

Apr

PARKS AND RECREATION By David Bianculli

NEW TIME: Is it just me, or does NBC seem to schedule – and reschedule, and re-reschedule – its Thursday comedies in ways designed to discourage, rather than support, regular viewership? (It's not me.) Well, Parks and Recreation is back, in yet another time slot, this time following The Office. Will a later spot lead to more viewers? It seldom does. Then again, neither does hopping a series from place to place like a piece on a checkerboard.

2012

Apr

BEACH BLANKET BINGO By David Bianculli

This 1965 film is the most famous of the Beach Party movies, and the one that most rewards careful face-watching. Ask “Isn’t that…?,” and the answers, in the affirmative, will include not only stars Annette and Frankie, but Marta Kristen from Lost in Space, Linda Evans from The Big Valley, and Paul Lynde, Don Rickles and, astoundingly, Buster Keaton – the latter three of whom are shown in the photo at left.

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